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Cabinet to consider relocating BRICS Summit to China
The Cabinet will discuss a proposed change to the BRICS summit, which will occur in Johannesburg in August. According to the Daily Maverick, the potential change is that the BRICS summit might be moved to another country because of the attendance of Russian President Vladimir Putin and the concerns his visit provokes.
Sources have revealed that a legal opinion sought by the BRICS-appointed technical team and presented to the interministerial committee (IMC) has raised concerns about Putin’s attendance at the summit. The IMC, led by Deputy President Paul Mashatile, met recently to discuss the hosting of the BRICS summit, and they will present their recommendation to President Cyril Ramaphosa. The final decision will be available to the public once Cabinet finalises it.
South Africa is exploring the idea of sharing the hosting responsibilities with China. This idea emerged because China is not a signatory to the Rome Statute of the ICC. India is another potential alternative since it is also not a signatory to the Rome Statute. However, this year’s G20 summit in India presents a possible block.
The dates for the BRICS Summit will likely remain the same, as all participating nations have already made plans for the event from August 22 to 24, 2023.
Also read: Putin’s visit to South Africa raises concerns of potential sanctions
This situation calls back to when former Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir, who, like Putin, had an ICC arrest warrant against him, visited South Africa in 2015. The ICC later ruled that South Africa failed to arrest al-Bashir, prompting concerns about hosting another leader with an outstanding ICC warrant.
As an ICC member, South Africa would have to arrest Putin if he entered the country for the BRICS Summit. The government seeks a solution allowing for Putin’s attendance while complying with the country’s legal obligations to the ICC and its ICC Implementation Act.
Speculation about the summit in another country emerged during the recent BRICS foreign ministers’ meeting in Cape Town. However, South African Ambassador Anil Sooklal dismissed these claims at the time, affirming that preparations for the summit in Johannesburg were underway.
Last week, the notice by International Relations and Cooperation Minister Naledi Pandor to grant diplomatic immunities and privileges to all international officials attending BRICS-related events was published in the Government Gazette. However, it is essential to note that this notice does not override the ICC warrant for Putin’s arrest, further complicating the hosting of the summit in South Africa.
Also read:
BRICS summit in August to be held in Johannesburg – announces Pandor
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